Juicy Baked Pork Chops (easy recipe that always turns out tender)
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These oven baked pork chops are the most popular baked pork chop recipe on the internet for good reason: they’re easy to make, tender, super juicy, and flavorful. A few simple ingredients and pantry-staple spices are all you need to make this incredible dinner.
I’ve been told I’m an expert at making pork chops and have more than 16 pork chop recipes for you. Try these smothered pork chops and pan-fried pork chops next. Or go for my popular baked pork tenderloin!
Let’s give it up for easy and delicious pork chop recipes! This is one of my family’s favorite dinner recipes, and we go back to it repeatedly. The flavorful pork chops always turn out tender and juicy. After you make these baked pork chops, you’ll make them again and again. The recipe is speedy and easy to prepare and is a great one to keep in your back pocket for when you need dinner stat or can’t figure out what to make tonight. You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops – it’s your choice!
In this recipe, I keep it simple and don’t sear the chops on the stove. Instead, they go straight into the oven. From my experience, this makes the chops more tender and saves an extra step of work. And with the gorgeous color of the spices, you won’t miss the sear. Serve these with a big salad and some potatoes roasted in the oven at the same time as the pork chops. It makes for the best dinner.
Why you’ll love these baked pork chops
- 100% juicy pork chops. ← truth!
- With these chops, in just over 20 minutes you can be sitting down to a delicious dinner.
- The easy spice rub, made with spices you probably have in your pantry right now, makes the chops taste amazing.
- Pork chops are a budget-friendly protein option. Knowing how to cook them so they don’t dry out will make your dinners less expensive and more delicious.
- The kitchen-staple ingredients mean you shouldn’t have to run to the grocery store to make our recipe.
- Easily made with bone-in or boneless pork chops. Choose whichever you like best!
How long do pork chops take to bake at 400 degrees?
The biggest trick to making oven-baked pork chops is not overcooking them. Since pork chops are lean, they will dry out if left in the oven for too long. But don’t worry, here’s an easy way to know exactly how long you should cook your chops.
Boneless pork chops should cook for 7 minutes per ½-inch of thickness in a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven. If you use bone-in pork chops, cook them for 8 minutes per ½ inch.
- Boneless pork chops 1 ½ inches thick should be baked for 21 minutes.
- Bone-in pork chops 1 ½ inches thick should be baked for 24 minutes.
If you’re new to roasting pork chops, using an instant-read meat thermometer is the best way to determine whether they are fully cooked. Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. We use our meat thermometer to make sure the meat doesn’t overcook.
What spices are the best with pork?
This spice blend is made with simple ingredients and you can use it on both chicken and pork. It’s a delicious way to create flavorful pork chops. It’s my go-to recipe and I’ve made it so many times and never get tired of it. Here are the pantry staples it is made with:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano – you can substitute Italian seasoning if you’d like
- Salt – sea salt or kosher salt
- Black pepper
It’s a basic spice rub that takes only a couple of minutes to make and has so much flavor. I recommend doubling (or tripling) the amounts so you can have some on hand for other dinners. Try sprinkling a little bit on some potatoes or sweet potatoes and baking them at the same time as your chops.
Pork recipes often call for brown sugar, but it is really not necessary. There is no reason to take a lean cut of meat and add a bunch of sugar. These chops are sugar-free and delicious.
What to serve with your oven baked pork chops
I like to serve these with a simple green salad and a veggie side that gets roasted on a baking sheet in the oven alongside these delicious pork chops. For a great meal that the whole family will love, try adding one of my favorite side dishes:
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Asparagus or Roasted Broccoli
- Basmati Rice or brown rice
Store and Reheat
Store: I love a good pork chop sliced over a salad for lunch, so sometimes I make extra to have leftovers. They will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in your fridge.
Reheat: I like to slice them thin and warm them briefly in a pan over medium heat. You can also use a microwave.
Freeze: Yes! If you’d like to meal-prep, these baked pork chops will keep for at least three months in the freezer.
Watch how to make baked pork chops:
Juicy Baked Pork Chops (easy recipe that always turns out tender)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 boneless pork chops
Instructions
- Turn your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure the thickness of your pork chops so you know how long to bake them – see notes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over both sides of the pork chops. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of the pork chops, then place them in a baking dish – see notes. Drizzle them with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 boneless pork chops
- Bake the pork chops uncovered for 7 minutes per ½ inch of thickness, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit – for 1 ½ inch pork chops, you'll bake them for 21 minutes. Once you remove them from the oven, let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
Last step:
- After you make this recipe, take a picture with your phone and share it in the comments section below. I love seeing it when you make my recipes!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Delicious! Made this exactly as instructed. So tasty and juicy. Husband loved it and wants it again very soon. Thank you for sharing this. Definitely a keeper!
I brined four bone-in chops about four hours and baked for 15 minutes (1” chops). Moist and delicious. Super easy recipe. I used my own spices, but any combination would work.
So happy to hear that the recipe worked out for you!
I’m assuming you bake them uncovered?
I do!
Lives up to its name. These were the juiciest pork chops I’ve ever made. My husband usually hates boneless pork chops because he thinks they’re too dry and even he liked these. I also used Tender Belly pork, which is some of the best. I followed the recipe exactly, no alterations and used a small dish to bake in as the instructions directed. Cooked these at high altitude (5,280 ft above sea level) and it required a cook time of 23 minutes for 1.25in thick chop in a 400 degree oven.
I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the recipe! I’ve never heard of Tender Belly pork. Is that pork belly? I’ll have to look it up!
So juice and tender. Delish! Thank you for a simple recipe and my whole family enjoyed it.
I’ll definitely make it again.
Hooray! So happy that your family likes the recipe!
My family loved these chops!
That’s so awesome to hear! Thank you for coming back to let us know!
Oops found it !! My bad
Happy you found it!
Did I miss something ! I didn’t/couldn’t find the quantities for the run. Tsp/tbsp ?? Juicy baked pork chops.
These sound delicious! If you are making 20 do you increase the time?
I have never made that many at a time before but often when cooking things in bulk the time needs to be increased. I would suggest checking them carefully with a meat thermometer and leave them in another minute or two, if needed.
Making it again right now. First time pork chops were so tasty and so easy to make. I added different spices the first time. Like the all seasoned salt has all these ingredients. Added a little more garlic. You are right so easy and is very tasty. Can’t make a mistake in cooking this recipe. Thanks for this. Oh served it with cut up baked potatoes sprinkled with Weber’s roasted garlic & herb
So happy to hear the recipe was a hit!
Delicious!
I’m so happy that you liked the recipe!
I am not a good cook. These pork chops were so easy to make & incredibly delicious. For the first time I read a recipe, & had all the ingredients. I usually have to go to the store, & then lose interest. Asparagus were terrific. I will definitely make this meal again. Thanks
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe. Having everything on hand is the best, isn’t it?!!
After reading people’s comments I cannot wait to make these tonight! Do you turn them during baking or just let them be?
I just let them be! 🙂
I have made this twice now once with stuffing and all last night with scalloped potatoes and brussel sprouts and apple sauce both have been a hit so easy tastes like you did so much more thanks
I’m so happy to hear you liked the recipe! Thank you for coming back to share that with us!
I do not like to cook and not known to cook delicious meals for my family. This was a hit! Used thin chops and placed it in the oven for 13 minutes. Turned out perfect…and the salad was a nice touch. Will make this again!
I’m thrilled that you love this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let us know!
Followed directions exactly and the timing was perfect (after futzing around with math for 1 inch pork chops). Using the smallest dish that would fit must be the secret to keeping them juicy! I think I would cut down just a bit on the paprika next time, but I’m sure that’s just personal preference. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear you liked the recipe!
Made these tonight And I wish I had somebody over for dinner because they were delicious. Made mashed potatoes and cucumbers and onions and sour cream and it was a wonderful . Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
Such great sides to serve with these. I wish it was me you had over for dinner!